Hair clip

ABSTRACT

A hair clip has a first bow-like holding or clamping section, a second bow-like holding or clamping section extending parallel thereto, and a U-shaped connecting section which connects one of the ends of the clamping sections. The clamping sections connect to the ends of the “U”. The device is integrally made of plastic, in one piece.

TECHNICAL AREA

The present disclosure relates to a holding device for hair, in particular a hair clip or barrette.

INTRODUCTION

A plurality of hair clips is already well known from the prior art. They are used, for example, for pinning up or for the like draping of the hair.

Conventional hair clips consist of two parallel parts of metal, which are connected at one end by a connecting piece in the form of a loop. The other free ends of the two parts are usually clad in silicone or a similarly soft material, thereby protecting hair and scalp from the sharp metal ends.

A disadvantage of such hair clips is that they, mainly in order to hold the tension, are made of metal, which has some disadvantages as a material, such as breaking through material fatigue or loss of shape through frequent use, such as bending or wearing out. Furthermore, metal can rust, which is why such hair clips are not suitable for use in the shower or when wet. In addition, known metal hair clips are usually coated with a layer of paint, which, however, chips off over time. This not only changes the visual impression of the hair clip, but can also damage the hair.

Individual hairs often hang in the clips when conventional hair clips are pulled out from the hair, which can cause unpleasant pulling or even tearing of individual hairs.

Another disadvantage is that the world's most common hair clip (so-called “bobby pin”) is used incorrectly by the majority of consumers. The clip is inserted close to the head in the hair, but with the wavy side up, which is the wrong way around.

Many consumers use hair clips by bending them open with their teeth, which can be harmful to the teeth. In addition, there is a risk that color or metal particles get into the mouth.

If it is a hair clip having a closure, this is usually achieved by the interaction of different materials and techniques.

SUMMARY

Based on this, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a holding device for hair, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned and ensures high wearing comfort, long holdability and hair friendliness.

A holding device according to the present disclosure for hair, in particular a hair clip or barrette, comprises: a first clamping or holding section; a second clamping or holding section; and a connecting section for connecting the first holding section to the second holding section. The first holding section, the second holding section and the connecting section are integrally formed of plastic. The functional portion of a hair clip according to the present disclosure thus consists of one part.

The terms holding section and clamping section are used synonymously below.

The feature of the one-part, one-piece, or integral production of the holding device means primarily one-part, one-piece, or integral production of the functional parts of the holding device (namely, in particular, the first clamping section, the second clamping section, and the connecting section).

If a third holding or clamping section is present, this is also one-part, one-piece, or integral with the other clamping sections and the connecting section. Thus, two of the clamping or holding sections can form the legs of a “U”, the third holding section extending approximately parallel therebetween. The connecting section is the curved section of the “U” by which the holding sections are connected to each other or in which the (non-free) ends of the clamping/holding sections converge.

The hair is clamped in use between the clamping sections, such as an upper and a lower strap (or strap near the head), wherein the connecting section is stable, but reversibly elastic, in order to compress the clamping sections with sufficient force and thus to clamp and hold the hair. The term clamping sections also encompasses embodiments in which the clamping sections encompass or encircle the hairs lying therebetween with or without tension.

An integral design means a one-part or one-piece construction of the at least three sections, for example, in an injection molding process, in which a mold is used with a cavity which already corresponds to the final shape of the three or more sections connected to each other. The at least three sections are produced simultaneously, for example, by injecting plastic into the mold cavity. Thus, only one mold is required for the production of the hair clip according to the present disclosure. The material of the at least three sections can or need not be homogeneous. The material selection and the geometry largely determine the functionality and ensure that the technical requirements, for example, regarding stability, elasticity, etc., are met.

The hair clip according to the present disclosure is characterized by high wearing comfort, long storage life and hair friendliness.

The present disclosure is based on the general idea to create a novel hair clip that is not only comparatively easy to introduce into the hair, but also enables a long-lasting fixation of styled hair without losing, for example, support during prolonged wear; and to not cause unpleasant tugging or tangling when pulled out of the hair; and to achieve an even longer storage life of the hair clip.

The hair clip according to the present disclosure includes two parts made of solid material, extending substantially parallel to each other, coming together at an end of the device and connected at the other end, wherein the lower (near the head) part is configured such that it ergonomically adapts to the head shape and the upper (facing away from the head) part is configured such that it can have a wavy structure, for example, a helical spiral structure. The helical structure of the upper (that is, as facing away from the head) clamping section of the hair clip is so pronounced that it provides better hold of the hair than it would as a purely smooth surface. Furthermore, the helical structure is advantageous because it distributes the pressure evenly over the hair, leaving no imprint on the hair. This is also a further feature of the present hair clip: to protect the hair.

The hair clip (barrette, etc.) is also designed so that it is intuitively used by the user in the right direction.

The hair clip includes in particular a single part, which is made of solid plastic. It has been shown that plastic is a more suitable material for hair clips than metal, since it is gentle on the hair on the one hand, but can still hold sufficient tension and is sufficiently slip-proof.

Compared to previously known hair clips, the hair clip according to the present disclosure also has a significantly longer service life expectancy, which is achieved by the use of plastic. It is possible to avoid material fatigue or material deformation after prolonged use by using plastic. A further advantage is that no loss of color is to be expected by the use of plastic, that is, the product always visually remains in the same state as purchased. Furthermore, plastic is water repellent and therefore cannot rust, so that no disadvantages for the hair or the service life of the hair clip arise when used in wet hair or when showering.

As a result of the use of plastic as the material of the hair clip according to the present disclosure, the hair clip has a closed surface which prevents the absorption or attachment of dirt or bacteria and thus enables a high standard of hygiene. In addition, plastic is water and sweat repellent, so that the hair clip according to the present disclosure can also be used without problems in sports, wherein they can prove their advantages, in particular under heavy loads. In particular, this also means that despite a firm hold of the hair by the hair clip, no imprints remain after wearing on the hair, which is achieved, on the one hand, by the use of plastic as a material, on the other hand, by the helical structure of the hair clips. The hair clip according to the present disclosure can be cleaned with almost all soaps or household cleaners, so that the clip can be easily cleaned even after a heavy soiling.

Since the hair clip according to the present disclosure is made of plastic, it will not damage the teeth when used therewith and there is no chipping of paint or material from the clip.

Preferably, the plastic is elastic and/or the holding device reversibly assumes the shape that it had in the unloaded state without the external application of force.

The plastic can be a thermoplastic plastic.

The plastic can be transparent, semi-transparent, or non-transparent. It was previously not possible to produce a transparent hair clip through the use of metal as a material.

One development of the hair clip according to the present disclosure, namely the completely transparent shape, is thus the first proposed transparent hair clip.

The hair clip according to the present disclosure is safer than conventional hair clips, since it consists of one part and plastic, in contrast to metal, is a safer material for hair. For example, the scalp and hair cannot be damaged by scratches from the hair clip.

The hair clip will also be less likely to break since the plastic material is not brittle, has a high toughness, and high strength. An enormous amount of force must be applied before the hair clip breaks (always in the same place). Thus, it has been shown in specific embodiments that one can bend the clip to about 75% before breaking the hair clip according to the present disclosure. This accounts for the long service life of the hair clip according to the present disclosure.

The material plastic is also resistant to water, mineral acids, oils, grease, and oxidizers.

The use of plastic for the hair clip is particularly gentle on the hair for several reasons. First, it is made of a single part, so that no hair can get caught in other parts or clamping mechanisms. In particular, the total abandonment of metal promotes hair friendliness in particular. “Dispensing with metal” or “a one-piece integral production of the holding device made of plastic” means in particular one-part, one-piece, or the integral production of technical or functional components in one piece and without metal. On the other hand, a structure of the holding device without metal does not mean that, for example, decorative elements, for example, of metal, cannot be fastened to the holding device. These variants are also to be regarded as holding devices without metal in view of the holding device according to the present disclosure, since the decorative elements are not to be regarded as belonging to the holding device in this regard.

Furthermore, the hair clip can be easily removed from the hair, which is also due to the use of plastic as a smooth yet solid material. Furthermore, as described above, no single hair can get caught in the hair clip, since it is made of plastic and is one part, so that no individual hairs can be torn or damaged when pulling out of the hair. This also means that the hair clip according to the present disclosure can be described as leaving no trace, since it leaves neither imprints in the hair nor damage to the hair.

Furthermore, the hair clip can be so formed that it has a matte finish rather than a glossy finish, whereby an even better, firmer hold in the hair can be achieved since the rougher surface holds the hair better. Preferably, therefore, the device, in particular on the clamping sections or their sides facing each other, have a structured or rough surface. This can be produced by the injection mold or by a post-treatment, such as roughening.

In particular, the first clamping section and the second clamping section each have a free end. The clamping sections of the hair clip according to the present disclosure can also be configured such that they are thinner at the front (free) end than at the rear end, at which they run together or merge into the connecting section. This optimizes the force distribution and results in less tension prevailing at the front end, which makes the hair clip easier to open, and more tension prevailing at the back end, which creates the desired hold Furthermore, the optimal force distribution in interaction with the optimal pressure distribution due to the helical structure of the hair clip causes the hair clip to leave no imprints in the hair, which in turn means “no trace”.

The device can be formed with or without a closure. If a closure is present, the first clamping section and/or the second clamping section can have a hook-like structure for interconnecting the free ends of the clamping sections. For example, a hook formed at the free end of the first clamping section can be pushed or rotated under the second clamping section for closing. In particular, the hair clip / barrette made of plastic can have a closure option, which is formed integrally with the at least three sections.

The hair clip can be configured to have a closure. The hair clip can also be configured such that it has no closure. The closure can be designed so that it works by a simple clamping mechanism. Here, the spirally shaped upper part of the hair clip is guided by a light rotary motion performed with the fingers under the lower part of the hair clip and clamped there by the hook-like end of the upper part under the lower part of the hair clip. As a result, a firm closure of the hair clip is created by a simple mechanical movement, which holds the hair therein. The closure mechanism thus works in the hair clip according to the present disclosure by pure mechanics and without effort, namely by a pure rotary motion. The hair clip according to the present disclosure thus preferably consists of one part and of one material (plastic) and can have a closure. The fact that the hair clip consists of one plastic part also makes it particularly gentle on the hair, since no metal parts have to be used.

The connecting section can be formed U-shaped, wherein the clamping sections each connect to the ends of the legs of the U.

The first clamping section and/or the second clamping section can have a curved shape, for example, adapted to the shape of the head.

The clamping or holding sections each have a side on which the hair is held or on which the hair is clamped (inner side), and a side facing away from this side (outer side).

In particular, the inner side has no sharp edges. Rather, all edges that lie between the inner side or near the inner side, and the outer side, are rounded to protect the hair.

The first clamping section and/or the second clamping section can have a wave shape and/or a spiral shape. The wave shape is used to better hold the hair in use and to protect the hair, since the wave shape of the pressure on the hair is evenly distributed, which leaves no imprint in the hair.

In the context of this present disclosure, the wave shape is understood as any profile having repetitive elevations and depressions. In the contact of the present disclosure, the wave shape should be formed at least on the inner side of at least one of the clamping or holding sections. This does not press a surface on the hair, but the elevations exert stronger pressure on the hair adjacent to the inner side of the holding section than in the region of the depressions. There is thus a locally varying pressure distribution on the hair along the inner side of the holding section. A better pressure distribution is thus realized, the hair is less likely to stick out. The amplitude of the waves can extend parallel to a plane defined by the clamping sections and/or perpendicular to the plane. However, within the scope of the present disclosure, any structure of repetitive elevations and depressions provided on the inner side is conceivable. In particular, the wave shape is formed on one or more of the clamping or holding sections facing away from the head. The wave shape can also be formed in the shape of a zigzag profile of the surface of the inner side of the clamping section.

For example, the upper part (first clamping section) of the hair clip of the present disclosure can be configured in a form of closure in a 3D spiral shape.

For example, in another embodiment, the upper part (first clamping section) of the hair clip according to the present disclosure can be configured in a 2D wave shape.

However, all combinations of wave shapes with or without closure should be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

In an alternative embodiment, the first clamping section or holding section can extend in a first circular or helical path, and the second clamping section can extend in a second circular or helical path. The connecting section of this expression can be formed S-shaped, wherein the clamping or holding sections each connect to the ends of the “S”. Overall, this holding device has or the holding sections have a conical spiral profile. This means that the sections extend largely on a conical (frustoconical) shell section. In this case, the profile has a fixed or variable pitch, so that the profile is at least in sections substantially helical or spiral-shaped. The ends of the clamping sections are spaced (distance or height H) along a height (pitch) or along the axis of the virtual cone. The holding device tapers overall from the first holding or clamping section to the second holding or clamping section.

An alternative expression is a hair clip that gets by without tension, i.e., the hair is held only by way of mechanics. For this purpose, the hair on the head is collected together into a bun and then the S-shaped hair clip is screwed into the bun close to the head. In this case, the section of the cone tip lying nearer is first rotated into the hair. The hair then assumes the shape of the spiral when the hair is wrapped around the holding device. With the assumption of the spiral shape, the section or part of the holding device which lies near the cone tip is located far into the bun and in the region of the hair lying underneath it. The hair thus does not lose its shape without the hair clip exerting pressure on the hair.

Also, no edges are present in this embodiment, that is, all transitions are rounded.

In summary, the following advantages can be realized with the hair clip according to the present disclosure, in particular in comparison to conventional hair clips or barrettes:

-   -   protects the hair     -   leaves no impressions/traces in the hair after wearing,     -   water and sweat repellent and thus usable in almost all life         situations,     -   ensures a significantly longer service life expectancy,     -   avoids tangling and ripped hair     -   hair clip made of plastic that holds tension     -   no loss of tension due to material fatigue     -   no rusting or breaking     -   no color loss     -   optimizes the “pressure” on the hair     -   easy to use, is applied correctly intuitively     -   unique closure technology possible

The device can be produced in particular by an injection molding process. The injection mold has a cavity which enables simultaneous production of the at least three functional sections (clamping sections and connecting section) into a one-piece / integral device.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It is important that no metal is provided on the functional components of the holding device, which fulfills a functionality in connection with the holding of the hair. The clamping sections and the connecting section holding the holding sections together and in some embodiments, exert a restoring force on the holding sections bent away from each other, are thus made of plastic without metal. The material is preferably homogeneous.

In addition, the present disclosure makes it possible to produce completely transparent or semi-transparent holding devices for the hair. This is not possible when metal components are provided in or outside the components of the holding device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

The figures show:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a hair clip according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the hair clip according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the upper side of the hair clip according to FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a hair clip according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the hair clip according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the upper side of the hair clip according to FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a hair clip according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the upper side of the hair clip according to FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of the hair clip according to FIGS. 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Devices 1, 2 and 3 according to the present disclosure are described with reference to the attached figures.

A first embodiment of a hair clip 1 according to the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The hair clip 1 has a first bow-like holding or clamping section 11, a second bow-like holding or clamping section 12 extending parallel thereto and a U-shaped connecting section 13 which connects one of the ends of the clamping sections 11 and 12. The clamping sections 11 and 12 connect to the ends of the “U”.

The lower clamping section 11 near the head is slightly curved and adapts to the head surface. The upper clamping section 12 facing away from the head has a wave-shaped structure 120 having wave crests and troughs. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wave shape is two-dimensional, that is, the amplitudes (peaks and valleys, indicated by double arrow A by way of example) extend in a plane defined by the clamping sections 11 and 12.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the hair clip 2 according to the present disclosure having clamping sections 21, 22 and a connecting section 23 similar to the first embodiment. This embodiment 2 differs from the first embodiment 1 on the one hand in that the second clamping section 22 has a hook 221 formed at its free end. This serves as a closure of the clip 2. If the hook 221 is brought under the end section 210 of the first clamping section lying approximately at its height (for example, by a slight rotation of the second clamping section 22), the clamping sections 21, 22 are thus hooked to each other and the clamp 2 is securely closed. Opening is as easy as closing.

On the other hand, the wave shape 220 of the second clamping section 22 is three-dimensional, that is, the amplitudes A or B extend, as shown in the side view of FIG. 5, on the one hand in a plane defined by the clamping sections 21 and 22, on the other hand, as can be seen from the plan view of FIG. 6, in a plane perpendicular thereto. The superimposition of the amplitudes A and B produces a three-dimensional wave shape 220.

In principle, other two or three-dimensional curved profiles are conceivable.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show a further embodiment of the present disclosure in the form of a helical clip 3 having a first holding or clamping section 31, a second holding or clamping section 32 and a connecting section 33 arranged therebetween. The holding or clamping sections 31, 32 each have a free end 310, 320 which ends offset approximately parallel to each another (distance in the plan view: D).

The holding or clamping sections 31, 32 extend substantially on a skin surface of a (virtual) cone (stump). The device thus has a narrow, tapered end 32, 320 and a second end 31, 310 extending in a larger radius. The narrower end is usually first rotated into the hair bun. The profile is substantially or at least in sections helical or spiral (with radius increasing or decreasing along the height H).

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 8, the sections 31 and 32 extend approximately in each case on a circular or helical path, wherein the circular/helical path of the second clamping or holding section 32 is offset inwardly with respect to the first clamping or holding section (direction imaginary center point) (see top view according to FIG. 7), so that the second clamping section 32 extends within a circular path defined by the first clamping section 31. The radii can be about the same, but also different or vary along the path. The curvature of the sections 31 and 32 has the same sign, that is, the circular paths projected into the plane according to FIG. 8 extend approximately parallel in sections.

The connecting section 33 is formed S-shaped. The clamping sections 31, 32 each connect to the ends of the “S”.

The sections 31 and 32 are offset relative to each other along the height H of the device 3 (see FIG. 9) or the ends 310 and 320 have a distance H.

In general, in this embodiment, the hold is not caused by an elastic clamping, as in the other embodiments, but mainly or exclusively by the screwing in of the double spiral into the hair. The functionality is similar to that of a screw.

The devices 1, 2 and 3 are each integrally made of plastic in one piece. The plastic can be transparent, semi-transparent or non-transparent. The coloring is arbitrary. The surface can be profiled, for example, roughened, at least on the surfaces which hold/contact the hair.

The connecting sections 13, 23, 33 can exert a force or a torque on the clamping sections pressed apart from each other by an application of external force, which force or torque presses them together elastically and reversibly, so that hair between the clamping sections can be held. 

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A holding device for hair, comprising: a first holding section; a second holding section; and a connecting section for connecting the first holding section to the second holding section, wherein the first holding section, the second holding section, and the connecting section are integrally formed of plastic.
 14. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the plastic is elastic.
 15. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the holding device reversibly assumes a same shape without application of external force.
 16. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the plastic comprises a thermoplastic plastic.
 17. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the plastic is transparent.
 18. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the first holding section and the second holding section each have a free end.
 19. The holding device according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the first holding section and the second holding section has a hook-like structure configured to interconnect the free ends of the holding sections.
 20. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the first holding section is arranged substantially parallel to the second holding section.
 21. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the connecting section is formed U-shaped, wherein the first and second holding sections are respectively connected to the ends of the U.
 22. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first holding section and the second holding section has a curved shape.
 23. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first holding section and the second holding section has a wave shape, a spiral shape, or a combined wave shape and spiral shape.
 24. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the first holding section extends on a first circular or helical path, and the second holding section extends on a second circular or helical path.
 25. The holding device of claim 24, wherein the first holding section extends on a helical path that traces a surface of a virtual cone.
 26. The holding device according to claim 13, wherein the connecting section is formed S-shaped, wherein the first and second holding sections each connect to the ends of the “S”.
 25. The holding device of claim 24, wherein the first holding section extends on a helical path that traces a surface of a virtual cone. 